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New Inn on the Block

Click on image to see edited/printed version.
Click on image to see edited/printed version.

By Dianna Stampfler

It isn’t often that a new building is constructed on the ever-historic Mackinac Island…where Victorian-era cottages, homes and hotels fill the downtown streets and a few locales off the beaten path.

Yet, last year The Mackinac House began welcoming guests at its new 19-room boutique inn at 7288 Market Street. The inn is co-owned by long-time island business leaders Bob Benser and Andrew Doud.

“The Mackinac House is a great addition to Mackinac Island,” touts Tim Hygh, executive director of the local visitors’ bureau. “This luxury inn gives our guest another downtown lodging option and keeps the spirit of our non cookie cutter lodging properties alive.”

Tucked in behind a well-manicured lawn and brick walkway, the three-story inn is awash in pale summer blue with white trim blending into the island’s pastel color scheme. The welcoming front porch evokes a feeling of coming home and beckons guests to sit and enjoy a morning cup of coffee, afternoon tea or a glass of wine.

Inside, the lobby has a cottage feel with white clapboard walls and red and white nautical accents. The adjacent breakfast area is well stocked with pastries, juices and other continental offerings and in the afternoon, guests can find tea, lemonade cookies and other light snacks.

Casual meets elegance in each of the uniquely designed guest rooms, where vibrant and complementing colors, textures and patterns deliver a whimsical feel. Even the bathrooms have personality, with a bright palate of colors, wall coverings and subway tiles arranged in herringbone patterns. Rooms also offer all modern amenities, like smart TVs, high speed internet, air conditioning, a mini fridge and coffee makers.

The Mackinac House is well-suited for solo travelers, couples, families and even small groups. Both the Tower Suite and Fort Suite feature larger spaces to accommodate multiple guests. These top-floor rooms also offer views of the island’s historic Ford Mackinac.

“This hotel is perfectly situated one street away from Main Street, so it was pretty quiet but perfectly convenient,” says Christy Perjak of Westland, Michigan, who was among eight friends who gathered here last September for a girls’ getaway. “The rooms were so nicely decorated and very spacious, the staff was very helpful and professional, and the breakfast offered something for everyone.”

For more information or to make reservations, visit TheMackinacHouse.com.